Electrically operated height measuring device



April 9, 1935. E; ||.HAND

` I ELECTRICALLY OPERATED HEIGHT MEASURING DEVICE Filed June 5, 1933 INVENTOR EQLE H. HAND l 4 fine This invention relates to new; and useful l PatentedA Apr. 9, 1935 c `fELEcTRoALLYQoPEnA'rEn HEIGHT ,MEAsuRING ,DEVICE y i l c Erlennaiid; New York, N.Y.^ y

c Application canela, i933, serial Nb." 74.132 i f connus."ores-4125) c l device whenthe bearnQof light ispreventedstrill;.``

provements in height measuring devices. c

The invention has for an object the construc-` tion-fof.f aA device` as mentioned WbCh is charac-` 5; terized` by `the provision ofopposedl casing sections spaced to allow a person to stand inbetween; a mirror mounted upononeg of the sections, a .tube type of-.lamp mounted upon the other ofthe sections opposed `to `the mirror, Aand a` scale associ# `ated, with. the mirror to give the height ofla per-c;

son n standing` belfweenH the `sections. and l looking into.saidinirror-atthe point `wherethe top of theheadcuts off the reflection of the tube type of `light.V l

.The invention has for astill further objectfthe arrangementof the partsin Ysuch a. manner that l any error in heightdue to'lvariation of (different people of the distances between the eyes and the" topfof thehead, is reduced so lasto be negligible;

l previous paragraph... Furthermore'it is Lproposed to "arrange foot I projections upon "the device" to' instructa person where to-.stand so that the error `is reducedasmentioned.4 ,l 'Still further the inventionlconteniplates the provision ofV a novel scaleinbonjunction with the" measuring device` so thattheipersonimay easily;

read the heightl Stillfurtheran arrangement is"proposedfvvheree1 set into operationl- 4.

by: the mirrorand tube type'ofglampare disposed `behind `glassfpanes-arranged on the casing sec-r` l; tions. c l c As` another `object of this invention,` an f arrangement is proposedywhereby. upon thel inser- `tion of 'a ,coin or' upon the' operation of 'a switchy dependinguponthe design of the device,a means is:y caused to function for illuminatingfthertubef type oflamp andziorfoperatingthe shutters.

I`immediately `upon theA person standing between the casing sections moving from thisposition;` lIn detalla it is proposed` to provide a Abeani or"` jlight shining* directlyl across the casing"'s`ectioris and. coacting with "a photo-electric i'cell arrangedin ai circuit adapted e to zcut oiiA the operation of the Still Q further the invention; contemplates"` are ranging, the opposed casing sections spaced from I each otherfaJ suiiicient distance` withl relation to the distance of apersons eyes tothe tubeltftpeof.` light so as to reduce Vthe error mentioned-Tiri the:

`taken Qiiitrieiin'e 1 1 Q'fxrig c c Fig. 8f is a schematic Wiring diagranfnof` the ranged to automatically open when the device is.`

ing `thephotoV-electriccell.

vStill riurther the. invention contemplates the construction of a'device as mentioned which c simple and `durable and Whichrnav bel manufactured'and soldat arvreasonable cost;V

`For `further comprehension of theI inventionlk and ot the objects and advantagesthereof, `reference will be had` to the .iollowingv description'i.

and accompanying drawing, l and 'to the appended claimsl in whichthe various novel-features `of `the invention aremore particularly 4set forth.`

1n' the accompanyingdrawingforming` a terial part of this disclosure:-`

Fig.` 1 is a perspective view of. a" devicecon'- structedaccording lto thisinvention. c

figilZ@ is a horizontal sectional view taken'fon` the line 2"-2 of Fig. l. v Y, Figi. `3 vis. a vertical sectional-view taken ronthe Fig. "4 is a fragmentary vertical .sectional takenonj the iine 14A-accinge.

Figlyis a fragmentary perspective viewoi of "this invention.- J

device" constructedaccording to a modiricamiithefl'n (il-t of Fig". '5'.

Fig. 7 gis a4 fragmentary device Sho-Wn in Figs. 5 7 inclusive.

vertical vsectionalfvievv f The height measuring` device according `to invention comprises'opposed'casingctions I IJ\ l Y and .l l held inspac'ed relation by a basel l2`.- .The

casing llllishollowan'd open at the front and 'af c .v reflector or mirror I3`` is mounted thereinso asf- Still i urti-1er an arrangement isproposed whereto reflect the vision of.:a person standing-upor'rl Apairloi ioot'pieces i2 are arrangedfupon-uthfe base 'i2-@seas 4to guide a person in standingfat c v the propen position when" being 'rneasured.f In 4 l Figi S afperson` is illustrated standing.` in a posi-` p Stillfurther-arnovelarrangementis'proposed1 non to Obtam hls measurement" wherebyv the device is causedto be inoperative Associated .with the reiiecting surface I3 there` is a scale I 3 fshownfin 'Figfl comprisingfseverall columns arranged-so that it `may be` read Yquite easily* The column to the left is 'divided-into inches fand halffinches.. The' center column,-

.Speed Wiielifies A 111611 apart and thesolumn to l the rightis` dividedjintocuarter and three guar ter ,inch s;ia :es.,l` Thislscale is] adapted to -beilf-g head as related to` thefgraduated scale.

luminated by the provision oi lamps I3 mounted upon the ends thereof and adapted to throw beams of light thereon. The reduction of error due to the variation in different people of the position of the eyes relative to the top of the head may be reduced to any degree depending merely upon the. distance at which the mirror i3 is placed relative tothe persons eyes and the tube typeof'lamp I5. Y

Examining Fig. 3 the distance from the tube type of lamp to the eye is indicated by letter A While the distance from the mirror to the eyes in Fig. 3 is indicated by the letter B. Y The reduction of error will be the relation of A to B. Conse` quently the larger the' distance B the smallerthe error. Ii for example the relation of A to B is 1:1.0 then the error will be reduced lOtimes. For example suppose the variation between the eyes of `persons and the top of the head of all; difierent `people is within twoinches. may be graduated to Vgive the mean heights. Therefore the error Will be restrictedto one inch asffar as the position of the eyesis concerned. When the person looks into the mirror I3 his height will be given by reading the point of the scale where the top of the head cuts oi the reflection of the tube type of lamp. The error of reading will be reduced a certain amount of any actual Variation oi the eyes from the top of the fore if a person having a maximum variation of one inch from the graduated scale obtains his height the error ywill be a very small portion or" an inch which in heights is immaterial.

vIn Figs. 5 8 'inclusive a'rnodied form of the invention .has beenrdisclosed inwhich an automatic height measuring device is shown which comprises opposedcasing sections I0 and ii spaced from each other to allow a person to stand between. These casing sections are mounted upon a base I2 holding the Vsections .in properly spaced positions. The person may stand 'upon f the top of the base l2 whenY assuming the position between the sections. A mirror i3 is mounted upon one of the sections, as illustrated on section IIJ. lothv of the casing sections areof hollow construction having their opposed faces transparent but closed with Windowfpanes Ifi. The mirror I3 is supported upon the inner rear Wall of the casing section Il) so as to be viewable through the windowkld.

A tube type of lamp i5 is mounted upon the inner rear face of the window pane i4 of thecas` ing section II and extends substantially the entire height of the casing section so that the device is adapted to 'measure the heights of people varyinlgfromlS to.84 inches.` The tube type of lamp I5 is viewable through the window pane I4. A pair of shutter sections comprising afshutter are arranged so as to normally `'cover the mirror I3 and adapted to move out from the obstructing position upon the `operation of the device.

Y This shutter consists of a pair of shutter sections I6 pivotally supportedv at their outer sides by trunnions 'II'so as to be capable ofA swinging in.r .wards as indicated by the dot anddash lines in The scale I3` Therel the top ci the head cuts oii the reflected tube type of light I5. The details of this scale will be given in full hereinafter.

The construction of the electric mechanism of the device may best be understood by examining Fig. 8. The device may be coin controlled or controlled by a'switch.` If coin controlled a slot 2l for the insertion of a coin is arranged in one of the casing vsections and connects with a chute schematically indicated by the dot and dash lines 22 so as to guide the coin 23 to momentarily close theswitch 24 during its passage.` The switch 24 is in series with a source of power 25 and with a solenoid 26. If it is desired that the device be manually operated instead of coin operated then a switch `2 is arranged which is shunted across the switch 2li and is exposed for operation. The

`solenoid 26 has its core connected with a lever 39 pivctally mounted intermediately at the point 23. The forward end of this lever is adapted to engage and be held by a catch finger 29 of a resilient natureand mounted upon a xed support 33. The rear end of the lever 3S is provided l with a short c'ircuiting block `3l engageable with contacts 32, 33 to closethe operating circuit of the device.V l

The operating circuit of the device may be traced from the power lead 34 through thetube return lead 42.

, lamps I3a4 to illuminate the scales, and iinally the The mirror and scales are mounted'vertically.

The scales are graduated to give the height of a person when the person looks into the mirror at the point Where the top of the head cuts off the reflection'ofv the tubetype of light I5. The re-` silient iinger'29- connects with 4the core of the solenoid 55 which isin series with the" circuit 5I controlled by the relay l56. ,The primary of the relay 56 is in the circuit 584 which includes the photo-electric cells 31. The relay 56 is of the self opening and coil closingtype'. A

In Fig. 6 the elements 36 are shown mounted upon the casing ysection II and directed to ,shine beams of light upon the pliotoelectric cells 31 mounted upon the mirror I3. The path of these beams is such that a person standing between the casing sections will cut oii the rays of the beams f from striking the photo-electric cells.

The operation ofthe device is as foll'owsz--AV person desiring to be'measured steps upon lbase I2 k.and facesthe casing section HJ. Suitable 'instruction signs should be arranged upon the device to familiarize the person with the necessary steps to operate the device.

device is manually operated. Immediately the electric circuit through the solenoid 26 will be Y momentarily closed and will pivot the lever 39 so that the free end is caught and held by the resilient nger 29. In the held position, the conductor 3I closes the circuit between, they contacts Y 32 and 33. l Y

When the circuitfbetween the contacts 32 and 33 is closed, the circuit 34, 42 will be in operation Then a coin is inserted in the slot 2| or` the switch 2l' is closed if the and V,cause the illumination of thevtube type of 4lamp 35, the operation of the elements 36 `which throws beams of light, the operation of the solenoids `v which immediatelyjopen theeshutters I6 so that the person may viewthe mirror, and

scales and the operation of the lamps i3? to il'lurln'i-` nate the scales, and mirror I3.l The person then looks into the mirror at ,the point `wherethe top of thfehead outs off the reflection of thelamp l5 on the illuminated scale andreads his height.

` When he -moves away from? between the casing l finger. 2Q ismoved to y,release the `lever 3 8. The

lever-.39 then movesback toitsoriginal position breaking the circuit at `the contacts 32 and 33. This "will cause the light 35 to be extinguished,

.willrelease energization of solenoids 2G, and `will cause elements 4 I Y to become extinguished. When the beam offlight from the 'element'sj\35` ceases,

the element] `will operate-to cause, the circuitr 58 to assume` its original positionin` which the relay 56 is open to break the circuit 57 and allow the solenoid. 5Std assumeits original position in which the resilient nger 28 is in position ready to engage and hold the lever 3S when again moved saidsections, a neon lamp mounted on the other into an operative position.

While I have shown and described-'the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myselfto: the precise construction herein disclosed and the right is re-` served to all changes and modificationscoming` dened in claim as new, and desire to secure by United..`

States Letters Patent isz` I l. A height measuring device, comprising op posed casing sections spaced vto allow a person to stand in between,` a mirror mounted on one of said sections, a tube type of lainp mounted on 1 the other of said sections and opposed to said mirror, and a scale" associated withsaid mirror to give the height of a person standing between the sections and looking into said mirror Aat the point where the top of thehead cuts oithereection of the tube type of light. e e

y 2. A height measuring device, comprising opposed casing sections spaced to allow a person to Stand in between, a mirror mounted on one of said sections, a neon lamp mounted onthe other of said sections and opposed to said mirronand a scale associated with said mirror to give the height of a person standing between the `sections and looking into said mirror at the point where the top of the headcuts off the reflection of the neon light, said casing sections being hollow,` said mirror being within one of thecasing sec--4 tions, said neon lamp being within the other casing section, and transparent panes closing the opposed sides of said casing sections. e

3. Arheight measuring device, comprising opposed casing sections spaced to allow a person' to stand in between, a mirror mounted onone of said sections, a mercury vapor lamp mounted on the other of said sectionsand opposed to said mirror, and a scale associated withsaid mirror to give the height of a person standing between i thesections and looking into said mirror at the point where the top of lthe head cuts off the reiiection of the mercury Vapor light,l said casing sections being hollow, said mirror being within one of the casing sections,` said-mercury vaporl electric cell as the person steps` away from be-` said casingv sections shuttersbeinglarranged bevided with` the miner;

4. A height measuringfdevica comprising lcpe posed casing sections `spacedto allow` a` person y.

to stand inbetween, a mirror mounted on one of said sections, a neon vlamp mounted on the other "hind the glass panesof` the casing section pro- 1 clfsaidsections andopposed to Vsaid mirror, and

a scale associated with said mirror, to.' give the height of a'person standing between the sections andlooking into` said mirrorat the point where the top of the head cuts off the reflection of the neon light, `said casing sections being hollow, said mirror being Within oneof the casing .sec-

tionslsaidneon lamp being within the other cas-,v

ing section, and transparentwpanesclosing the opposed sides ofY said casing sections, shutters being arranged behindthe glasspanes of the caoe ing section-` provided with `the mirror, and means for causingillurninaticn of `the neonlamniand operation Y, of the shutters toernove to open` posi-v tion. Y .l 54A heightr measuring device, comprisingpopposed casing sections spaced to allow a person'to stand in between, a mirror mounted on one of of said sections and opposed to said mirror, and a scale associated with said mirror to give the height of a person standing between the sections and looking into said mirror at the point where the top ofthe head cuts off the reiection of the neon light, said casing sections being hollow, said mirror being within one .of thegcasing sections,

said neon lamp being within the other casing section, and vtransparent panes closing the opposed sides of said casing sections, shutters being ar` rangedbehind the glass panes of the casing seci tion providedwith the mirror, andfmeans for causing illuminationof the neon lamp, and 0p-` eration `of the shutters to-move to the `open position, and also cause operation of an element to causea beam of light, a photo-electric cell di-fl e' rectly opposite the element for producing the beam of light and arranged so as to be intersected by a person `standing between said casing sections.`

6. A height measuringdevice, comprising opposed casing sections spaced to allow a person to stand in betweenfa mirror mounted on one of the neonlight, said casing sections being hollow, -said .mirror being within one of the casing sections, said neon lamp being within the other casing section, and transparent panesclosing the `opposed sides of said casing sections, shutters being arranged behind the glass panes of the casing section provided with the mirror, an element to cause a beam of light andmeans for causing illumination of the neon tube type ofllainp, and operation ci theshutters to move to 1the open position, and also cause operationof said ele` ment `tocause a beam of light; a vphotoeelectric` cell directly opposite the element for producing device when the beam of light strikes the phototween the casing sections.

`the beamof light and arranged so as to be inter-l sected bya person standing between said casing t sections, means being also providedY for automati- `cally causing ceasing of the operation of said V'7. A height measuring device, comprisingopposed casing sections spaced toallow a person` to stand in between, ra mirror mounted on one of said sections, a tube type of lamp mounted on the other of said sections and opposed to said mirror, and a scale associated. with `said mirror to give the height of a person standing between the sections and looking into said mirror at the point Where the top of the head cuts off the reflection Vof the tube type of light, whereby a person may stand with the back of the head as close vas possible to the tube type of lamp and the mirror and scale be located at a distance from the person so as to reduce errors due to variation of build of different people, to any desired degree.

8. A height measuring device, comprising opposed oasing sections spaced to allow a person to stand in between, a mirror mounted on one of said sections, a tubetype of lamp mounted on thev other of said sections and opposed to said mirror, and a scale associated with said mirror to give the height of a person standing between the sec t tions and looking into said mirror at the point where the top of thehead cuts off the reflection of the tube type of light, said opposed casing sections beingheld separated by a base membenand foot; piecesl uponthe basemember to guide the standingv of aperson between the'casing sections.

9. A height measuring device, comprising opposed casing sections spaced to allow a person member, and foot pieces. upon the base member to guide the standing of? a person between the lcasingsections,y thetube type of lamp being 11ocated near tothe foot pieces, andthe mirror and 20 scale being located far irom the foot pieces.

ERL@ n. HAND. 

